Archives: News Items

New MCAA Student Chapter – Riverside City College

MCAA welcomed its newest student chapter by granting a charter to Riverside City College during the MSCA23 Opening General Session on October 23rd on Marco Island, Florida.  

Sponsoring Local Affiliate:  ARCA/MCA
• Cheryl James, Executive Director

Faculty Advisor:
Kfir Mendelovitz

2023 MSCA Barbara Dolim Scholarship – Inaugural Year!

Congratulations to Kolten Plekes and Gonzalo Ceja, the recipients of the new MSCA Barbara Dolim Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Barbara Dolim, former Executive Director of MSCA, in honor of her efforts in promoting and ensuring future support for the mechanical service industry.

Gonzalo is on track to earn an associate degree in HVAC Commercial Technology from Riverside City College and is looking forward to starting a career in the mechanical service industry. He is a dedicated student who focuses not only on his own educational excellence, but is also the head of the Associated Students of Riverside City College and a dedicated member of the student union chapter.  

Kolten completed his associate degree in HVACR Technology at Ferris State University and is also the treasurer for the Ferris State University MSCA-MCAA student chapter. He has been enjoying getting to learn the industry, interning with MSCA members, and looking forward to graduating.

MCAA and MSCA congratulate Kolten and Gonzalo on this prestigious scholarship. MCAA recognizes MSCA’s continuing commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical service contracting industry.  

Find the Latest from Total Service and Morris Group International in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Total Service
Our software powers your business ecosystem.

Morris Group International
The BF12 matches the rough-ins and hole configurations of many existing bottle fillers and is compatible with numerous water cooler models. Murdock® is a division of Morris Group International.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

FARO Looks at the Future of AI and 3D Laser Scanning for MEP Applications

It is clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing fast and coming into everyday use. In the near-future, AI systems will be paired with established technology, such as 3D laser scanning for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) applications. What many do not appreciate is that AI is still largely only as good as the quality of data fed into the system, either by human operators or through technology that gathers and organizes information, such as 3D laser scanners and cloud-based data platforms.

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

ALI Class 23 Graduates Took Home Leadership Tools & A Network of Peers

MCAA President Robert Beck joined ALI contractor-facilitators and Kenan-Flagler faculty under Carolina blue skies on November 16 to congratulate the newest graduates of MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute. Over the course of the program, these 36 mechanical executives learned and practiced leading-edge strategies and frameworks to advance themselves, their teams, and their businesses.

The energy, engagement, and enthusiasm that these individuals brought to the classroom was nothing short of inspiring. Moreover, it was plain to see that over the course of the two-week program, ALI Class 23 went from a group of strangers to a community: as our grads left campus they were leaving not only with new ‘tools for their leadership toolbox’ but also a network of peers with whom they can continue to collaborate and grow.

The MCAA volunteers who have overseen the development of this custom curriculum are grateful for the dedication and investment of both the participants and their companies: without question, our 2023 grads not only bettered themselves, but by doing so have also bettered MCAA and the industry as a whole. From the ALI Committee to all the members of Class 23: thank you, and congratulations!

MCAA member company executives who are interested in the program can check out the ALI course page for more information. Be sure to watch the video for a peek into the classroom and to hear first-hand from participants.

Enhance Your Company’s Training & Leadership and Meet Your Financial Objectives with Skills from NEI Instructor Leah Gutmann – New Classes Added

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Leah Gutmann, owner of First Forward Consulting, LLC. Leah teaches instructors to enhance their skills, managers to build leadership skills, and finance teams to meet company objectives. Her newest classes focus on building the fundamental leadership skills of our industry’s field leaders, service leaders, and project managers.

Leah is certified to deliver training on a wide variety of leadership and financial topics. She has over 12 years of experience in the design, implementation and facilitation of educational programs, classes and seminars. Her 20-year career as a CFO and Finance Manager in the mechanical construction industry has given Leah the unique ability to offer training and consulting from a hands-on, in the trenches perspective. 

Leah offers six course series, each tailored for a specific audience and purpose.

The Field Leadership Series (FLS) builds the fundamental leadership skills every field leader must know, believe in, and be able to apply in practical and consistent ways to drive long term success for individuals, crews, projects, and organizations.

The Service Leadership Series (SLS) teaches participants to apply critical leadership skills to real service team problems, building confidence at both the individual and team level. Everyone participating will leave with tools and strategies that can be applied immediately to improve results at all levels.

In the Project Manager Leadership Series (PML), project managers will learn the essential tools needed to gain respect, get noticed, and be the project leader others follow because they want to, not because they have to.

The Instructor Training Series (ITS) Seminars train JATC instructors, association instructors, and organization subject matter experts to increase retention of material, connect with students, and transfer critical industry knowledge to the next generation, thus enhancing their organization’s competitive advantage. All classes are adapted to fit the needs of each instructor group and their application to the mechanical construction industry. 

In the Leadership Development Series (LDS) Seminars for Service and Construction, management level employees and team leaders focus on building strong communication skills and self awareness to help them be successful leaders.

The Financial Development Series (FDS) Seminars for Service and Construction offer customized coursework to address foundational, intermediate, or advanced topics for your identified group and will include direct application and practice to relevant projects, service work, and company financials.

Like our other NEI instructors, Leah brings her unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members. 

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*

*This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

Calling All CONTRACTORS: MCAA Needs Your Input – Take the ESG Survey Today

Survey Deadline: December 15, 2023

MCAA member contractors are occasionally required to demonstrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance in their bids. To further our commitment to developing ESG compliance resources, we kindly request your participation in a survey on the topic. The collected data will support the creation of an ESG presentation for the MCAA24 Annual Convention in March and an MCAA Resource Center to assist members in obtaining the information they require on this subject.

The ESG framework is used to assess a company’s performance in terms of its environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance. ESG criteria help investors, stakeholders and end users evaluate a company’s sustainability and ethical practices.

Thank you for your time!

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Serviceeye

Looking to reduce paperwork costs, H.T. Lyons, Inc. had service mechanics, project managers, and dispatchers work internally to create service software. MCAA’s Serviceeye provides details of the affordable solution to inspire others faced with the need to develop or customize software. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • What Serviceeye is and what it does
  • How Serviceeye works
  • Benefits of Serviceeye, including streamlined communication and simplified processes

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Nominate a Safety Professional as the 2023 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year

Nominations are due by close of business on December 8, 2023. 

Nominations are open for the 2023 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year award. This award is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. Five individuals have received the award since its inception in 2018. Nominate someone today and they could be number six!

To nominate someone from your company, or from another company, please complete the nomination form below and submit it by close of business on December 8, 2023. 

The 2023 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year award will be presented at MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference on January 18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ. The winner will be asked to participate in an on-stage general session interview after the award announcement.

The winner will also be invited to the MCAA24 convention in Orlando, FL, in March to receive the award onstage during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. Airfare, lodging, and registration will all be complimentary. 

MCAA President Robert Beck & Trane Discuss Industry Collaboration & Innovation

MCAA President Robert Beck, CEO of John W. Danforth Company, recently sat down with Trane’s Kristie Upton and Terry Dugan to discuss what they foresee for the coming year, and how manufacturers and contractors can work together to solve the industry’s most pressing issues, including the ongoing talent crunch.

Beacon Economics Study Will Help Service Contractors Thrive in Our Evolving Economy

The 2023 Beacon Economics study, commissioned for MSCA, delves into the critical economic dynamics shaping the mechanical service industry today. This analysis scrutinizes the impact of the real estate market, inflation, and labor shortages, among others, shedding light on how these factors will influence the economy and help MSCA members navigate and thrive in an evolving economic landscape.

Find the Latest from EVOLVE and Milwaukee Valve Company, LLC in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

EVOLVE
EVOLVE is the Southeast’s premier Autodesk software reseller, providing design technology planning, training, mentoring, and solutions to help clients improve project performance and workflows.

Milwaukee Valve The Insulator/MS

Milwaukee Valve Company, LLC
INSULATOR/MS® from Milwaukee Valve is the only insulating ball valve handle that does it all – controls condensation, has reliable memory stop, and saves time since there’s no need to disassemble for adjustments.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Fostering a Learning Organization to Avoid Human Error and Accidents

Human error is often misinterpreted as solely a human issue. However, it predominantly arises from system flaws within organizations. We inadvertently create systems that tolerate poor processes for the sake of rewarding outcomes, leading to constraints and errors. To effectively prevent and mitigate human error, it is crucial to shift our focus towards understanding the systemic factors at play. Tyfoom explains why and explains how to foster a learning organization.

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Be Inspired to Evolve by 2024 Safety & Health Conference Speakers Jennifer McNelly and Alex Kopp

January 16-18, 2024 | Loews Ventana Canyon – Tuscon, AZ

The safety landscape is evolving. Is your company’s safety and health program keeping pace? Jennifer McNelly, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals, and Alex Kopp, Director of Safety for The Association of Union Constructors, will help answer that question and inspire you to evolve your company’s safety and health program during MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference. Their sessions are just two reasons to attend MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference (January 16-18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ). Register today!

Jennifer McNelly’s session will:

  • Explore the evolving landscape of workplace safety and the challenges it brings.
  • Encourage safety professionals to excel in their roles and help shape the bright future of safety and health through data, stories and practical insights.
  • Provide data-driven insights highlighting current trends impacting workplace safety and the profession overall.
  • Empower attendees to evolve their practices and leadership qualities to increase their influence within their organizations.

Alex Kopp’s session will:

  • Review the how our industry, as a whole, is doing
  • Explain what we can all do to continue to advance safety and health in each of our businesses

MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference will offer more than 50 hours of training and education from subject matter experts on safety, health, risk management, and legal issues. Join us for three days of presentations, discussions, and demonstrations with 300+ occupational safety and health professionals, principals, owners, local affiliated executives, UA instructors, industry partners, NECA & SMACNA, and anyone who has safety and health responsibilities.

For the first-time in conference history we are being joined by TAUC’s EHS Committee and welcome all TAUC members to participate in this event.

Registration Pricing

This conference is one of MCAA’s most popular conferences and it sells out quickly. Register today to secure your spot! Member registration is $895 and guests are $295.

*Upon completing your registration, a link to book your hotel room will be emailed to you. If you encounter any issues while booking with the hotel please contact events@mcaa.org and we are happy to assist.

Extended Learning Courses

CHST $499
CPR Instructor: $299
CPR Provider: $49
CPR Instructor Renewal: $99

Have questions or interested in exhibiting? Contact us at events@mcaa.org or 301-869-5800.

Check Finding an Intern off your November Checklist

Connect with Students at MCAA24

Registration for MCAA24 in Orlando is in full swing and MCAA student chapter members are already making their plans to participate in the Job Fair during the Manufacturer / Supplier Council Exhibit on Tuesday, March 19th.  New this year, students and potential employers will also be encouraged to network throughout the week at the Connection Corner during convention downtime. Why wait until March to secure your interns? Start the conversation now and post on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board for upcoming Summer 2024 internships and entry-level positions geared towards our graduating seniors.  

Post on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board

  • Login with an MCAA username and password
  • Click on the job board within the Career Development page
  • Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting
  • Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh
  • When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month
  • Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume
  • Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume
  • From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process

Submit a 2023 Internship Grant

Already have an intern?  Don’t forget to submit your Intern Grants for 2023!  Part 1 applications are $1,000 for 1 intern or up to $2,000 for 2 or more interns.  Then once you hire an intern full-time, come back and submit Part 2 for a $500 gift card to present to your new hire. 

Part 1:
• Submit an application for each intern (Interns must be listed on a Part 1 application to be eligible for Part 2)
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
• Companies with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant OR companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant

Part 1: Internship Grant Application

Part 2:
For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 list from an MCAA member company.  Submit the form below to notify MCAA of a new hire conversion.
• Part 2 application may not be submitted until after the full-time start date.

Part 2: Internship Grant Application

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Federal Prompt Payment Act

The federal government has enacted regulations governing payment terms between the government and its construction contractors, as well as between those contractors and their lower-tier subcontractors. MCAA’s Federal Prompt Payment Act provides an overview of these regulations to help mechanical contractors ensure that they are being paid in a timely manner. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin explores:

  • The elements of a “proper” invoice, and why timely submission is key
  • Government response and receiving reports
  • Interest payments
  • Lower-tier subcontract payments

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, including several on the topic of marketing, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Select MCAA Safety Videos Available in Spanish

Over the last several years, MCAA members have increasingly requested our safety videos in Spanish, and that comes as no surprise. Data show that 34% of construction workers are Spanish speakers, the largest of any industry in the U.S. The fatality rate for Hispanic construction workers remains higher than that for non-Hispanics, but with resources like these MCAA is working to bridge that gap.

MCAA is committed to being a leader in safety and health, and that means making sure that all of our industry’s workers remain safe. We are doing this by incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in safety training.

Enjoy these Spanish-language training videos, or their English-language counterparts, now:

Be on the lookout for additional Spanish-language safety resources going forward.

Have questions? Please reach out to MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA Student Chapter Service Project – Growing the Story of our Future Workforce

Each student chapter in attendance at the 2023 MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee this past September walked away with a children’s storybook and a mission to share the construction trades with elementary school children in their local community. 

The book, Grit Leads to Greatness, follows 2 siblings on a journey through a dystopian society where everything around them is literally crumbling since the ‘trades’ have been forgotten.  The siblings meet various characters along the way who use their unique construction skills to save the day and rebuild their world.  

Featured Characters:

Copper the Amphibious Plumber
The Electrician Magician
Rowan the Snome Carpenter
Mason the Mason
Arc the Welder

This project addresses a frequently requested topic from our student chapters on how to participate or start something in their communities as an act of service.  Likewise, it also encourages the idea of construction as a career path to not only the students being read to, but also strengthens and builds a deeper and more passionate connection for the college students who are reading the book. 

Thank you to Procore for sponsoring the books and taking the steps to grow the story of our future workforce!  

Connect With the Latest Training from LAARS, a Bradford White Company and Aquatherm LP at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

LAARS, a Bradford White Company
Laars Academy is our commitment to ensure our industry professionals have the training and knowledge needed to stay on top. Watch a recorded training session on Laars MagnaTherm FT at www.laars.com.

Aquatherm LP
As the leader in polypropylene piping systems, Aquatherm offers comprehensive heat-fusion installation training at our Utah HQ, at partner sites and jobsites across North America, and virtually upon request.

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Welcome New Manufacturer/Supplier Members!

Enhance your strategic supply chain with the seven newest members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Allow them to introduce themselves:

IPEX USA, LLC offers pipe, valve, and fitting (PVF) products that are engineered to satisfy the demands of the harshest industrial applications. Our products are suitable for many industrial applications whether it be aggressive acids conveyance, specialist drainage, or auxiliary services requirements, our piping systems can easily overcome some of the problems associated with more traditional materials. The IPEX Industrial piping solutions offer superior chemical resistance, easier installation, longer plant life, and cost-effectiveness whether from original installation or maintenance.

Kojo Technologies, Inc. is the industry’s leading material procurement solution, providing contractors with a digital solution to streamline materials management from pre-con to payment. With Kojo, you can issue requests for quotes and POs, compare prices and availability across vendors, update the field on order status, and share cost data with the accounting team, all with fewer clicks and manual data entry. Work smarter, not harder with Kojo.

Little Giant Ladder Systems, LLC is a designer, marketer and manufacturer of ladder systems intended for do-it-yourself and professional customers sold through retailers and distributors. The company offers products including multi-position, combination, step stools, step ladders, safety cages and other related accessories, helping businesses to prevent injuries and save lives.

Merit Brass Company has a rich history of offering the most comprehensive flow control and piping connection technology. Our goal is to make the Merit Experience for our customers seamless by bundling a complete line of consistent, high quality piping products, flow control devices and piping system solutions. Merit features a full range of stainless steel and brass fittings, nipples, pipe, valves, flanges; stainless steel butt weld fittings, tubing, tube fittings and valves; forged carbon steel fittings and press technology, which includes stainless steel (StainlessPress®), carbon (CarbonPress®) and copper (CopperPress®).

NEFCO is a family owned and operated construction supply company providing a broad range of products and services to the mechanical industry. We offer large local inventory of our S.H.A.R.P. products and tools, with next day jobsite delivery available from our locations. We have engineering divisions and broad fabrication capabilities under one roof, giving NEFCO the complete in-house solution.

Sunbelt Rentals, a leader in the tools and equipment rental industry, provides solutions and expertise for professionals in the industrial, manufacturing, construction and municipal markets as well as do-it-yourself customers. A highly-diversified equipment fleet includes extensive options for small tools and general construction equipment, plus a wide array of specialty applications for power, HVAC, climate control, pump, scaffold, and film production. We OWN the future of rental.

T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer specializing in solutions for the commercial plumbing industry. Renowned for its commitment to quality and durability, T&S continues to lead the industry in award-winning water- and energy-conserving products.

The members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council stand ready to help you enhance your productivity and profitability and retain your competitive edge. Meet them in person during many MCAA events and virtually through Smart SolutionsManufacturer/Supplier Training, and the Virtual Trade Show.